Tie-down device



April 20, 1965 R. E. JELLlsoN 3,178,785

TIE-DOWN DEVICE Filed July 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS April 20, 1965 R. E. JELLlsoN 3,178,785

TIE-DOWN DEVICE Filed July 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT E. JELL ISON @'4 uw ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,178,785 TIE-DGWN DEVICE Robert E. Jellison, 2355 Comstock St., San Diego 11, Calif. Filed July 29, 1963, Ser. No. 298,817 I1 Claims. (Cl. 2li-SS) The present invention is a continuaticn-in-part of my co-pend-ing application Serial No. 42,414 filed iuly 12, 1960, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to fastening mechanism including a strap and a fastener for the strap. The present invention is particularly useful for strapping or tying down material, such as cargo material, sheet material, bales of straw or hay, etc., and is useful for parachute and seat belts adjustment.

The present invention comprises an element which forms a hitch having a loop, two rods which are arranged substantially parallelly of one another, one of which forms an anchor, a strap having an end anchored to the anchor rod. The strap extends progressively, from the anchored end thereof, about the other rod, herein defined as a strap Ibinding rod, then rearwardly and through the loop of the hitch; it is then brought forwardly to form, with the rearwardly extending portions, ka strap loop; it is then looped about the strap binding rod. The strap is then extended rearwardly to form a hand hold portion. The fastening mechanism also includes means for maintaining the rods in positions in which the surface of that In one form of the present invention, I provide a frame having a base which carries the two rods. In one ernbodiment, the lframe is also provided with another hitch and this second hitch is carried by a lever, which when turned moves the second hitch closer to the ring type hitch so as to tighten the strap, and the lever is movable so that the second hitch is moved over center, i.e., to a position through a plane intersecting the pivotal point of the lever and that portion of the frame at which the pull of the strap takes place.

Too, the over center lever is provided with a strap engaging portion by which the strap can be utilized as a hand grip for moving the lever.

ln another embodiment, the anchor and strap binding rod are movable relative to one another. In that embodiment the anchor rod includes part of a loop-like element, having a portion which extends substantially parallelly with the anchor rod and is disposed so that it engages the underside of that portion of the strap that extends rearwardly rfrom the strap binding rod and includes a pair of sections which connect the anchor rod with the aforementioned portion. These sections span the strap and engage the strap binding rod on that side thereof which is substantially opposite the side which is engaged by the strap.

Other features and the advantages will be apparent fro-m the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a top 'plan view of the fastening mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a sectional View take-n substantially along line 22 of FIG. l showing the position of the tightening lever at the time that slack loop can be shortened or lengthened;

FIG. 3 is a View similar to FIG. 2 but showing the lever in the position in which the strap is tightened about the object which is to be tied;

Patented Apr. 20, 1965 FIG. 4 is a view partly in section showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view looking in the direction of arrow 5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view partly in section showing `a still further embodiment of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, particularly FiGS. l, 2 and 3, the mechanism includes a fastener 20, a strap 22 and a loop type hitch 24.

The vfastener 2i? includes a substantially U-shaped frame 2n including a bottom or base 28 and side anges 30 and 32. These side flanges extend upwardly and are spanned by a front rod or strap binding rod 34 and a rear or anchor rod 35. These rods are arranged parallelly with respect to one another and are suitably attached to the franges 36 and 32. The frame .also carries a lever 40 including side arms 42 and 43. These arms are pivotally connected with the flanges 3d and 32 by pivot pins 44. A hitch, in the form of a rod 46, is fastened to the lever arms 42 and 43 intermediate the ends of the lever arms, and this rod 46 is arranged parallelly with the rods 34 and 3o. The outer end of the lever arms 42 and 43 carry a rod 58, and this rod rotatably supports a roller 5i).

A strap 52 is looped over the run 54 of the ring 24 and a lstrap 5o is looped over the hitch rod 46. These straps 52 and 55 may be formed of steel and are connected with other straps for tying the material which is yto be tied down.

The strap 22 is formed of flexible material such as nylon, and one end thereof is in the form of a loop 5S. This loop is looped over the anchor rod 36 and then extends forwardly, then over and then under the strap binding rod 34, and this portion is referred to as strap portion ed. The overlap portions forming a loop are served to one another as is shown at 62. The loop extends rearwardly under the rod 3o and then the single layer of the strap 22 indicated at 64 extends rearwardly, then under and about, as shown at 66, the front run 68 of the loop type hitch 24. The strap then extends forwardly as at 7d to form, with portions 64 and 62, a strap loop portion 70 extends underneath the anchor rod 36 then, as shown at 72, under and about the rod 34 `so as to be interposed between the portion 60 and the rod 34. The strap then extends rearwardly as at '74, then under and about the rod 35, as shown at 75, which portion 76 overlies the loop portion on the rod 36. The strap then extends forwardly as at 78, under and about the roller Si), as sho-wn at 80, and then the free end extends rearwardly as shown at 82 to form a hand hold portion. Ob viously, if the lever is omitted, the portion 78 will be extended lto the left an-d it will form the hand hold portion.

When there is no tension on the fastening apparatus, that is, when there is no pulling force exerted to the left on the strap 52 and to the right on the strap 56, that portion of the strap indicated at 76 can be pulled to the left or rearwardly and the portion 74 readily slides rearwardly and the portion 70 readily slides forwardly about the rod 34, whereby the slack may be taken up in the loop formed by the portions 64 and 70. Although there is tension on the fastening apparatus, slack may be taken up. Or, the slack can be enlarged under all conditions including fully loaded conditions by merely )pulling the portion 7h rearwardly, or to the left, at which time the portion 74 will move to the right over the rod 34. However, when force is exerted on the loop 24 rearwardly or to the left, the portion 6b will bind with the portion 72 at the strap binding rod 34 and prevent relative movement to the rear between the rin-g 24 and the fastener 20. in other words, the fastener is automatically locked.

The anchor rod 36 is so disposed on the frame 26 with respect to the strap binding rod 34 that the frame mainairs/rss ends may be suitably connected to other forms of straps" used in the tyingA dov/n. The present invention is also -useful as a belt in which the opposite ends of the straps 52 and 56, which are not shown, are connected with,v one:

another. Another use for the present invention is similar torthat shownin the Graves PatentV No. 2,539,997 issued January 30, 19.51. Y

VVsults however are the same.

strap, the strap loop 64, 62 and 70 can be shortened to thereby tighten the straps .(not shown) which are connected withthe bitches. Also the strap loop 64, 62 and 7d can be increased by merely pulling to the left on strap portion 76. Inthis manner the load is released.

Referring'now to the Vembodiment shown in FIG. 6, it is substantially the same as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 however, the lever 40 and the parts associated with it are omitted. Too, instead of looping the strap section 72 counterclockwiseabout thev strap binding rod 34, it is looped clockwise about said rod. The actions and re- The hitch for the frame 26 isY shown at 25,5 connected with rod 246, the latter being connected to the side flange 30.

In any use of the device, the portion '76 of thefstrap 3 22 is first pulled to theA rear or to the left so as to provide suliicientV slack for connecting thek straps S2 and 56. After the opposite ends of the straps 52 and 56 are connected V78 is looped underneath the roller 48- and then rearwardly as is shown by the portion'SZ. The operator will then` Vuse the portion82 of the strap 22 and as a handV grip for pulling the Ylever 4t)"rearwardly'tok further' tighten the straps. This pulling will be continued until the rod 46 of the lever 4 5) is moved in aV counterclockwise direction to beyond a dead center position with respect tothe axis of the pivots 44 and the center line vof pressure'of the After :the straps S2, 22 and 56 'have been pulled v v strap portion 60 on the frontrodd, that is,-the rod 46 v is moved so that it is disposedbelow a. plane intercepting the pivot axis 44 andthe center line fof pressure on the rod 34. In this manner the straps are locked `in( position. i.

The advantage of using the portion 82 as a hand'grip lies in the fact that both-hands of theoperator can be used Y for tightening the', straps, and this.is'particularlyadvantageous when heavy cargo is to be strapped in position.

Referring now to the 'embodiment shown in VFIGS 4 and 5, theanchorl rod ,is Vshown at 136 andthe strapbindving rod is shown at 134. The rod 134 forms a direct part, AVie., is formed integrally with a hitch156. The hitch loop;

is shownrat V124 forthe` strap loopY '64, 66 andl'tl.

4 In this embodiment,-the anchor rodv 136 is vpart of aV loop-likeelernentf or, as shown asa part of a kring i3d af the claims that follow.

I claim: v i

1. In combination, a strap; meansv forming a loop; and a fastener, said fastener including a frame having a base, an anchor rod yand a secondorod, said rods being arranged substantially parallelly and each having opposite ends supported by the base; means anchoring one end of the strap tothe anchor rod, said strap extending progressively Vfrom said anchored end over the second rod, and under.

the :second rod, then rearwardly land under the anchor rod,'rearwardly of the anchor rod, kupwardly through the vloop of said means, forwardly to form a straprloop, under thea'nchor rod, looped about the second rod, rearwardly and then under the anchor rod to lform a hand hold portion'. i a v n 2. A combination as'deiined inclaim y1, andY including a lever; means ffonpivotally attaching the lever to the frame forwardly'of the rods ,forv movement Yforwardly and rearwardly withY respect to the frame; a'hitchfor a f jstrap carried bythe lever, said hitch, when the lever is in r its rearmost position, being disposed below a plane interhaving a portion V31 which'lies parallelly with theV anchor '.rod and engages'the underside 'of the strap portion 641-.

The anchor rod and portion 131 are connected with'oneV Y136 functions as a lever whenV CFI pressure is exerted by the ringsections 133 rearwardly or to-the right as viewed in FIG. 4. Thus it will beY apparentthat the pressure exerted by the sections 133 on the strap binding rod increases proportionately with'tlie increase of pulling pressure at the bitches, resulting in proportionate increase of'binding pressure betweenl strap Y 1 secting said last mentionedmeans and the center line of pressure ofthe strap on the second ymentioned rod, said lever being providedwith a strap engaging portion disposedja greater distance from said last mentioned means than said hitch.

3. A combination as` delined in claim 2, in which the lever is provided Vwith a strap engaging roller disposed a greater distance Vfrom said last mentioned means than 4said hitch and means on the lever for supporting said roller.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, in which the second mentioned rod is provided with a roller for the strap. p

5. In combination, a strap; means forming a loop; and a fastener, said fastener including a frame having a base, an anchor rod and a second rod,said rods being arranged substantially parallelly and each having Opposite ends supported by thebase; vmeans anchoring one end of the 1 strap to the anchor rod, said strap extending progressively rearwardly of the anchor `rod,'upwradly through the loop of said means, forwardly'toforma-loop, yunder the anchor portion'fZ and strap binding rod 134 and between strap `portion A'72 and strap portion 6l).v

Thus the ring maintains the'anchor rod in such position thatthe surface of thatportion of the strap, which is;

looped aboutthe strap binding rod,.is sullcient to prevent slippage betWe-en that surface and the strap binding rod when pullingpressure is applied at the strap loop.

Here again, by pulling on the handle portion 82 ofthe rod, under and then over the second rod, rearwardly and then under the anchor rod toform a hand hold portion.

(C) a strap, said strap having one end fastened to the anchor rod, said strap extending progressively from said anchored end thereof about and spaced from the second mentioned rod, then rearwardly and through the loop of said means, then forwardly to form a strap loop, then looped about and in engagement with the second mentioned rod, and then rear- Wardly to form a hand hold portion; and

(D) means for maintaining the anchor rod in such position that the surface of that portion of the strap, Which is looped about and is in engagement with the second mentioned rod, is suicient to prevent slippage between said surface and the second mentioned rod when pulling pressure is applied to the means forming the loop.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7, characterized in that the last mentioned means includes a section fixed to the anchor rod and engages the second mentioned rod -in that side thereof which is substantially opposite the side engaged by the strapy when pulling pressure is applied to the means forming the loop.

9. A combination as deiined in claim 7, characterized in that the last mentioned means includes sections xed to the anchor rod, said sections spanning the strap and strap when pulling pressure is applied to the means forming the loop.

10. A combination as defined in claim 7, characterized in that the last mentioned means is in the form of a loop- 5 like element having:

(l) A portion extending substantially parallelly with the anchor rod;

(2) sections spanning the strap and connecting the an- 11. A combination as deiined in claim 7, characterized 15 to include:

engaging the second mentioned rod at that side thereof 25 `Which is substantially opposite the side engaged by the (E) A hitch, said second ymentioned rod being a part of the last mentioned hitch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,710,436 6/55 Davis 24-68 2,710,999 6/55 Davis 24-197 3,120,946 2/64 McCormack et al. Z4-68 X DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A STRAP; MEANS FORMING A LOOP; AND A FASTENER, SAID FASTENER INCLUDING A FRAME HAVING A BASE, AN ANCHOR ROD AND A SECOND ROD, SAID RODS BEING ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLELLY AND EACH HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS SUPPORTED BY THE BASE; MEANS ANCHORING ONE END OF THE STRAP TO THE ANCHOR ROD, SAID STRAP EXTENDING PROGRESSIVELY FROM SAID ANCHORED END OVER THE SECOND ROD, AND UNDER THE SECOND ROD, THEN REARWARDLY AND UNDER THE ANCHOR ROD, REARWARDLY OF THE ANCHOR ROD, UPWARDLY THROUGH THE LOOP OF SAID MEANS, FORWARDLY TO FORM A STRAP LOOP, UNDER THE ANCHOR, LOOPED ABOUT THE SECOND ROD, REARWARDLY AND THEN UNDER THE ANCHOR ROD TO FORM A HEAD HOLD PORTION. 